The Sun. — London, England, 1864-01-08 00:00:00

~.....-- Mr. Angerstein, M,P„ and his Constituents. briefly referring to various measures about to be brought in during the ensuing session. Having answered several questions in a satisfac tory manner, the following resolution was unani mously carried :—" That this meeting thank Mr. Angerstein for giving them the opportunity of meet ing him, and desire to express their satisfaction at his conduct as their representative in parliament." A vote of thanks was passed to the chairman ; and three hearty cheers having been given for the hon. gentleman and the Queen, the proceedings termi nated. Last evening Mr. Angerstein, one of the members for the borough of Greenwich, in accordance with his usual custom, met a crowded meeting of his constituents in the Lecture-hall, Greenwich. Mr. B. COOK occupied the chair. The CHAIRMAN said it was with very great plea sure and satisfaction that he introduced their es teemed member, Mr, Angerstein, to his consti tuents. They all knew that he was a true friend of progress, and he was quite sure that they would listen with attention to the hon. gentleman's resutra of the past session, Mr. AeroEnsTent then came forward, and was loudly cheered. After some preliminary observa tions, he said the practice of the metropolitan mem bers meeting their constituents was a very useful one, and calculated to do a great deal of good at the present moment. There were gloomy clouds abroad which, if not properly watched, might involve this country, the highest in civilisation, in a dangerous storm. On looking back to the time when he last addressed them he saw abundant matter for con gratulation. We had been blessed with a plentiful harvest, a harvest the like of which was seldom known, and he was quite certain that there was not a thinking man who had not owned to a far-seeing and Almighty Providence his thanks for that plen tiful harvest, coming as it did when a portion of the country (he alluded to Lancashire) was in great distress. Another important fact was the arrival of her Royal Highness the Princess Alexandra, and her subsequent marriage to the Prince of Wales, the heir apparent to the British throne—an event which every Englishman regarded with great satis faction. (Cheers,) Amongst the nations of En rope—he might say the world—England was almost the. only country enjoying the blessings of peace ; but on examining our situation, it was almost impossible to say how long we should be at peace. From east to west, and from north to south, there were unfortunately indications of war, and unless our ministers acted with prudence and judi ciousness the country might be involved in war. If we looked to America, or whether we went so far east as Japan and New Zealand, or so tar north as Denmark, the aspect was threatening. With re spect to their local affairs he was glad to see that they were in a prosperous state. There was a pro spect of the Greenwich dock being carried out—a matter of great importance to the town, as it was intended to apply to Parliament for an extension of time to complete the undertaking. With regard to the Greenwich Railway it was very desirable that there should be railway communication between Greenwich and Woolwich, and they all felt that if possible the railway should be carried out, and he believed that there was an evident intention on the part of the promoters, and of all persons interested, to carry the matter to a successful issue. He now came to the railway question. His colleague (Mr. Alderman Salomons) had promised to bring the question before the House of Commons, and he (the speaker) would give it every support. (Hear.) He was one of the first to bring forward the question, and the action of the Government upon it had not been satisfactory, as it was thought that the ques tion should be considered as a whole. He fully be lieved that they were entitled to rate government property just as well as the property of private in dividuals. (Hear, hear.) During the past year the strong hand of death, he regretted to say, had done its work. Lord Lansdowne, Sir G. C. Lewis, 3lr. Ellice, Lord Elgin, and others illustrious for their name, talent, ability, and services, were gone. The hon. member having paid an eloquent tribute to the memory of the noble dead, continued—. The last session of Parliament might be called a barren session ; but as they had expunged from the statute-book many laws it left them compara tively speaking little to do. Although he called it a comparatively barren session, yet laws which had existed for (300 years had been erased, modified, and made simple. They owed a great debt of gratitude to the noble lord who held the woolsack, Lord Westbury, who had been instrumental in providing us a simple code of laws, which he was happy to state had received the sanction of Parliament. With respect to the bill for the augmentation of benefices introduced by the Lord Chancellor, that noble lord had given up the patronage of 320 livings solely in the hope that the monies from the sale of the next presentations would be placed to the credit of smaller benefice; and thus enable the Church to look respectable, as many of the clergy, as they were no doubt aware, were passing rich upon £4O a year. Another great bill, which was of great advantage to the country, especially to the suffering people of Lancashire, the Union Relief Aid Continuance Bill, he was glad to tell, on the authority of Mr. Farnall, her Majesty's commissioner—and no one better able fur the work in hand could possibly be found—that the bill was entirely a success. The object of the bill was to raise £120,000 out of the public funds upon the security of the rates. Mr. Farnall had stated that the operatives of Lancashire had done and were doing their best to earn the wages at the work which had been provided for them. In fact, the bill was a complete success. The conduct ofthe operatives under their terrible calamity was deserv ing of the greatest credit. It showed that the working classes were to be trusted, and he hoped to see, as time progressed, that they were worthy to be more trusted. (Cheers.) During the past year the amount lost to the operatives of Lanca;shire in wages alone was between 18,000,000 and £9,000,000, while the oapital of the mine cvners in round num bers was about £5,000,000. The enormous amount of loss in wages pressed very hard upon the operatives, and he regretted to observe that the superior class did not show so much vitality as was evinced by the lower class. There were several other bills in troduced into Parliament which were lost, intro duced, no doubt, with a good object, but without success. He might mention Mr. Somes's bill for closing public-houses on Sundays. (Hisses.) He quite agreed with Mr. Somes that the public-house was not the happiest place for a man to spend his Sunday's, but he did not see why he should be deprived of the liberty of doing so if he was so inclined. (Cheers.) He, therefore, voted against the bill. Another bill proposed to convert the Exhibition building of 1862 into a permanent in stitution, and he was glad to think that the country was not saddled with an incubus which it would never forget. He then referred to the budget of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, which, although encumbered with certain proposals which did not become law, received the general concurrence of the house. It conferred two great boons on the country —the reduction of the duty on tea from ls. 3d. to ls. in the pound, and the reduction of 2d. in the pound on the income tax. Notwithstanding those large deductions, the decrease in the revenue amounted to less than two millions, while there was an increase in other articles of consumption to the extent of £1,300,000, so therefore there was only an actual deficit of some £BOO,OOO. With regard to the private business of the house, a feast had been provided for the members which he thought would be very difficult to digest. (Hear.) In our foreign policy Lord Palmerston and Lord Russell had been placed in a somewhat difficult position. However, he apprueed of that policy, and every right-thinking man would do the same. It had received the sanction of both sides of the house. With respect to America, a policy of strict neutrality and non-intervention had been observed under circumstances of a most peculiar nature. Having lamented the present struggle in America, he expressed his opinion that Lord Rue bell was able to deal with the American question ; it was in safe hands. Our ministers had done very well ; if they hod been angels they could hardly have done beter. However much we sympathised for the Poles, still we could not bre make matters worse by engaging in a war with Russia. For Poland we sympathised, but could not go to war for her. With regard to the Schleswig Holstein ques tion, it looked very dangerous, and he thought that Denmark had been badly treated, as the treaty of 1852 placed her in a posi tion from which we had no right to remove her. The suggested Congress was rightly objected to by Lord Russell. He should like to know, supposing we had joined it, and con sidering the state of affairs at present, when it would terminate its sittings. After some further ohe.ervar• tions the hon. gentleman concluded his address by The Romsey Labourers' Encouragement Association. ROMSEY, Thursday. The annual meeting of this association was held this afternoon, and in the unavoidable ab sence of Lord Palmerston the Right Hon. W. Cowper, M.P., presided. Amongst the other gentlemen present were Sir C. Rawlinson, the Mayer, Mr. Lordan, the es-Mayor, the Vicar, Lieut. Allsop, and many of the leading gentlemen of the neighbourhood. The dinner given to the successful candidates took place in the Town Hall, after which the prizes were distributed by the Right Hon. W. Cowper, who pointed out to the successful candidates the ad vantages of cultivating habits of industry, honesty, and sobriety. H 9 strongly recommended them to attend a little more to the simple rules of health, observing that there were many cottagers who had not yet discovered that the air which they breathed over and over again became as foul and as dirty as the water is which they washed their hands. Many people were not aware that air became as dirty as water would be to drink, Many were so afraid of admitting the cold air that they excluded the fresh air. They continued breathing the same air over and over again, thus sowing the seeds of disease which too frequently terminated fatally. The right hon. gentleman concluded his remarks by recom mending those labourers who had a little more than sufficed for their daily wants to resist the tempta tion of wasting their money in useless and wasteful indulgences, and to guard themselves against those fatal habits which too frequently deprived men of all power of self-control, and led to their ultimate ruin. At the close of the right hon. gentleman's address three hearty cheers were given for Lord Palmerston, and three more for Lady Palmerston. Mr. COWPER said he was quite certain Lord and Lady Palmerston would be very much delighted to hear of the manner in whica their names had been received. Nothing could have kept his lordship away but illness, for he felt an espe cial interest in the success of the society, and would be most gratified in finding that two of the cottagers on his estates had received prizes, and that prizes had been awarded to persons employed on his farm for good conduct. A large party of the subscribers afterwards dined together at the White Horse Hotel ; Mr. Cowper presiding. The usual loyal toasts were given and received with the greatest cordiality. The CIAIRMAN, in proposing " The Army, the Navy, and the Volunteers," said—When we cast our eyes over the Continent, and see in every direc tion perplexities and difficulties, wars and rumours of wars, we naturally look at home to see whether our brave defenders are in a position to give us security and peace. We see on the Continent, under the name of a desire to deliver and promote nationalities, most menacing designs; and there seems to be no real ground for satisfactory security except in the bravery and efficiency of our army, our navy, and our volunteers. (Cheers.) Our army have shown their prowess in recent as well as in earlier times ; and the men who have never been beaten in a pitched battle are still fairly represented in our existing army. (Cheers.) Our fleet, which has gained a victory wherever it has appeared, has reach an amount of efficiency which it never knew before, by means of a combination of newly-dis covered mechanical skill and the energy of our sailors. (Cheers.) Oar volunteers, rising as they do with enthusiasm over the length and breadth of the country, are the most sure guarantee that Eng land need never fear the invasion of a foreign foe. (Cheers.) I know of no spectacle more gratifying to the English nation than the energy, the patience, the perseverance with which the volunteers have continued year after year to exercise themselves for a coming day which may be, and I hope is, far distant, and the sacrifice which they have made of time and amusement in order to fit them to defend their country are worthy of all praise and of our utmost gratitude. (Loud cheers.) Lieutenant ALLsor responded. Sir C. RAWLINSON then proposed " The Health of Lora Palmerston," which was drunk with three times three, and was followed by the same for Lady Palmerston. Tile CHAIRMAN, in proposing the toast of the evening, " Success to the Ramsey Labourers En couragement Association," said—Every one will admit that the condition of the agricultural labourer has greatly improved in recent years. Our free trade policy and wise legislation have cheapened the necessaries of life and have placed withi❑ the reach of the labourer luxuries and enjoyments which he could not before command. But still there are many disadvantages and privations to which that class is exposed, and which we all earnestly desire to remedy. I do not allude to such imaginary grievances as that of the tiller of the soil not having any share in the ownership of the land. Such a complaint as that rests on a fallacy and a delusion. If it were possible to make the labourers the owners of the land which they are tilling, it would be a retrograde movement in agri culture. The great progress in agriculture of late years has been due to the concentra tion and application of capital to an amount of land which is sufficient to justify the favourable employ ment of that capital ; and it would be going back to times of less prosperity—it would be following the example of countries less prosperous than Eng land in agriculture, if we were to aim at such an absurd and impossible object. (Hear, hear.) But in a humbler way there are many things which might be done to improve the condition of the labourer. It is distressing to find men unable to ob tain cottages in which they can bring up their chil dren decently. It is not the fault of the labourer that he is not in a condition to build his own cottage or provide one for himself. He is obliged to depend upon what may be within his reach. It is also an object of great regret that so very few of the labouring classes are able from their earnings to lay by sufficient to keep them in old age, if they should not have children or relations who will undertake the care of them. But what I desire for the agricultural labourer is that he should have access to healthy and comfortable cottages—that he should have allotments of garden ground of suffi cient size and at a moderate rent for his own culti vation—(hear, hear)—that he should be able to pro vide a good education for his children, and have opportunities of mental reereation for himself—that he should have fair wages for his work, and should have within his reach the help which he needs in times of sickness and old ege. (Hear, hear.) No doubt there is amongst the agricultural labourers a great want of skill in their special business. It has ling been a cause of regret amongst those who are interested in the progress of the labouring man that he has not that amount of skill and proficiency which is so desirable. I think these associations have taken up that pviat in a very wise and prac tical manner, by applying to the agricultural labourer that principle which is so much admired, and which is so successful in the present day—the principle of competitive examination—(hear, hear) —for what we really do is to examine by corn peti Lion those agricultural labours in the hope of stimu• bating them to acquire more skill, and to give more attention to that which is their proper business in life. (Hear, hear.) This is the way in which the race:of horses is improved—by the competition which takes place in our Derby and St. Leger, and country races. When persons are really competing for an object which they value they will apply all their energies to the work with an animation and zeal which they would not exert for the object alone. Competition stimulates exertion, endd, this society has certainly been very useful in stimulating the agricultural labourer to an improved exercise of put in as evidence the report of Mr. Fibbs, the deputy receiver of wrecks at Galway. his tools in the business in which he is employed. We shall have to require mere skill in the agricul tural labourers. We see that steam machinery is about to make a considerable change in agriculture, as it has already done in weaving and in other branches of industrial manufacture, and we shall require men who are able to manage and deal with those steam engines which are beginning to wander over the country. I look with satisfaction upon this change under the aspect of its benefit to the labourer, for the result must be that the labourer, becoming more of a skilled artizan, will have higher wages, and be saved from much of that druigery which has to be performed by manual labour. In every walk of industry the application of steam machinery has raised the condition of the workman, and so it must be with the agriculturist ; the labourer as well as the farmer and the owner of land, will reap the benefit arising from the application of science and skill to the implements of husbandry. (Hear, hear.) In a future year I think it will be well to bear this in mind in regard to the subjects to be tested by this competitive examination. (Hear, hear.) While skill should be the main object to be rewarded, I should be sorry to omit the offering of prizes for good moral conduct; because there are a considerable number of agricultural labourers whose excellence cannot be tested by any single occupation, but whose merits must be judged by the character they bear and the satisfactory way in which they perform their duties. By this combination we put forward both the merit of the workman and his moral character. We com bine the skill and good behaviour of those persons who are put forward as an example for others to follow. (Hear, hear.) I think the association cer tainly has been of great value. Although not an ambitious mode of benefitting the workman, it has been practically useful, and a satisfactory mode of attaining the object, and I think you will all agree that in attending these meetings we are helping on the good cause. (Hear, hear.) I cannot sympathise with those who would apply the rugged rules of political economy to the condition of the labourer, and would leave him alone, let him be independent, do not interfere with him, leave him to the accidents of the labour market or you will interfere with his independence. I cannot take that view of the subject. I think that the labour ing men who join i❑ reaping the harvest which gives food and wealth to the country are deserving of the utmost sympathy and assistance wherever it can be given by the influential members of the community. (Hear, hear.) Although our agricul tural labourers do not risk their lives for their coup• try they employ them in a useful and beneficial occupation, and the gratitude which the rest of the community ought to feel towards them should be shown by doing what lies in our power to remove the difficulties, the inconveniences, and the priva tions with which they are afflicted. lam sure that every right-minded man will be anxious to do everything in his power to improve the condition of the labouring classes. There are cases in which persons may do harm when they think they are doing good, but this association shows a useful and beneficial way of bringing public attention to bear on the condition of the labouring classes, and assist ing in the development of their good qualities by the force of public opinion. (The toast was drunk with the usual honoars.) The MAYOR then proposed the health of the chair man, who briefly acknowledged the compliment, and proposed the health of the committee, the secre tary, and the judges, to which toast Mr. Allsop, Mr. Lordan, and Mr. Hunt responded. Several other toasts of a local character were after wards given and responded to. Mr. O'Dowd said it was not usual to produce the reports so made to the Board of Trade, but, with the consent of the Court, he would undertake to do so. Mr. Traill said the real question to be decided was, had Captain Prowse acted judiciously in proceeding on the voyage without th- harbour or port pilot, and, if he had acted judiciously, whether he had acted skilfully. It being now nearly five o'clock, the inquiry was ad journed. fhb inquiry was resumed yesterday. Capt. Nicholas Proem, having tendered himself for exa mination, Bald- -T was captain of the Anglia on her voyage from' Liverpool to Boston, on Nov, 7 last. I hold a certifi cate of competency as master from the Board of Trade, dated June, 1852. I have made 80 passages across the Atlantic, and have been 18 times in and out of Galway Bay. I have on three occasions passed through the bay successfully be tween the shoals, steering the same course as on Nov. 10— viz., E N. Mutton Island Light is the only guide to the roadstead. The tide flows east and west, or nearly so. The two dangers are the Black Rock, to the northward, and the Margaretta Shoal, to the southward. All vessels entering the bay pass between these two dangers, the distance apart being three-quarters of a mile. Mutton Island light is the only light visible in coming through these dangers, and affords only one bearing. Black Rock lies on the port side of the vessel entering the roadstead. At high water that danger is covered, but it shows considerably, perhaps to the extent of five feet, at low water. It commences to show itself at half ebb of the tide. The Margaretta Shoal is on the star board side of the vessel, and is always covered, but there is a buoy to indicate danger. The signal of danger on Black Reck is a perch, something in the shape of the mast of a fishing vessel with a cross at top. The land by night over shadows this perch, or beacon, and at night, as also by day, it is very difficult to see it until very near to it. I always understood that the pilot's boundary extended to the Arran Islands, and also that the compulsory pilotage was between the roadstead and the rock—but nevertheless I was always anxious to take a pilot whenever one could be found outside, and was always on the look-out for one. On two occasions, having the Mutton Island light direct ahead,and steering E. 3- N, I thought this course took me somewhat too near Margaretta Shoal, and I made a report to Capt. Thom pson upon the subject. During 7 voyages since that time I have invariably steered E N, and found that course to carry me in a good fair mid channel. I have steered this course on two occasions in the Anglia, and with the same compasses I had on board at the time of her stranding on Black Rock. I expected to find a pilot at Black Head, but the pilotage regulations of the harbour are miserably car ried out, On two previous occasion I had to go into the roadstead without a pilot, once by day and once by night. The great necessity is to take a pilot outside of danger, where they can be of use, but I have had to take him on board on several occasions when within danger, and, sup posing the wind to be blowing a gale from the westward I do not think it would be possible, with any amount of wait ing, to get a pilot outside the entrance. (Captain Prowse here read the entries made in the ship's log of the voyage from Liverpool, and which is contained in the evidence of the chief officer on the first day of inquiry.) Had the weather at 6.45 p.m. of the 9th been as clear as it was at three a.m. of the 10th, I should have gone into the har bour, notwithstanding there was no pilot on board, as I considered there was not the shadow of an excuse for remaining any longer, and I should have expected to be severely censured by my employer for losing valuable time had I done so. Had I remained at anchor under Black Head until daylight I should not have been in the roadstead until between nine and ten o'clock. Mr. Traill—Can you account for the vessel being stranded on Black Rock, the light at Mutton Island being ahead of you ? Capt. Prowse—lt has been given in evidence that the light bore E N, and, if this was so, I cannot account for it; but I think that the engines being worked at " dead slow" the compasses must have seen attracted by the land. By Capt. Harris—l have never noticed in passing slowly through the roadstead whether the compasses have been affected or altered by attraction of the land. On two previous voyages the same compasses were used, and were then found correct; and at Galway, after the stranding, they were found not to be affected, having corrected themselves. Mr. Traill—lt would be an impossibility for the compasses to have corrected themselves as you mention. Mr. Valiance, on behalf of the company, said—As that was all the evidence proposed to be taken, he wished to hand in for the use of the Court a copy of the regulations issued to commanders of the company's vessels, one of which regu lations was as follows :—" You are aware from the nature of the engagements of the company with her Majesty's Go vernment, it is of the greatest importance that your passage should be made with the utmost possible rapidity ; but I am directed to impress on you in the strongest manner, that even that most essential object should be regarded as subservient to the safety of the ship and passengers. You are expected, therefore, never to incur any danger for the sake of effecting a rapid passage, and I cannot too strongly express the importance of the utmost possible caution when you encounter fog or ice; and if darkness or the weather should indicate danger, that you should rather Ley to and await daylight or improvement of the weather, than pro ceed under manifest risk, You will enter in the fullest manner in your logbook all the ,facts and reasons of your conclusions. You will, of course, at all Limes ascertain your true position, giving due consideration to the effects of cur rents and variation of compass, and in nearing land you will keep a most careful and constant look-out, and the lead continually going." Mr. Sharkey then addressed the Court on behalf of Capt. Prowse, contending that he had used every precaution and discretion under the circumstances in which he was placed, and handed in several letters bearing testimony to his high professional character as a nautical man. Mr. Traill said there were two points for the Court to consider, viz., w hether Capt. Prowse was justified in mak ing the entrance b the harbour without a pilot ; and secondly, if so, whether such entrance should have been taken at so early an hour as 3 o'clock in the morning with out such pilot. Captain Harris said the whole fact appeared to him to be simply whether it was prudent or imprudent for Captain Prouse to enter the harbour at the time stated. From the facts as he gathered them, the vessel was due in Galway at 4 p.m. of the 9th, and Black Head was made at 5 30 p.m., or very near the proper time. At the time of finding the weather thick he thought Capt. Prouse had acted prudently and properly in putting back for the night, having fired gums and used blue lights, as a signal for a pilot, and no pilot coming OR board. On the Admiralty chart the light on Mutton Island was marked as bearing E by N, and not E N. In his opinion, on entering the harbour, every precau tion, such as heaving the lead, was carried out; but it ap peared they had been groping about at night for a buoy, about which there was no need to care, if the light was visible and ahead. It must also be taken into consideration that the passage was very narrow, the angle not being more than 10 deg., and that it required great nicety in navigating at night time. He could not, therefore, help thinking that Capt. Prouse was hardly justified in running in before day light, and as a prudent commander he would not have done so himself. There was an Admiralty agent on board, and his advice was that this individual should be consulted under such circumstances, and if he testified to what was being done as correct as entered in the leg, all responsibility and blame would be taken from the company. His own opinion was, and he was sorry to have heard the blame put upon the compasses, that the error lay in running the vessel on E N, with the tide on the starboard side of the ship. Mr. Traill, in expressing his concurrence in these obser vations, remarked that it was kith pleasure the Court had arrived at the conclusion of delivering up to him (Captain Proms) his certificate. Captain Frouse having thanked the court, the proceed ings terminated. PENAL LEGISLATION IN SEBNIA.--The differen modes of punishment specified in the Servian code are death, hard labour, imprisonment, dismissal from pub lic functions, fine, the bastinado, civil degradation, a prohi bition to exercise certain trades, and lastly, expulsion. The persons condemned to death are shot; they may, however, dispose of their property by will. The punishment of hard labour is for periods of from two to 20 years. The convicts are employed in prison or in the fields, and wear chains varying in weight from five to ton pounds, accord ing to the judgment of the tribunal. Women do not work outside the prison, and are never charged with chains. Persons condemned to imprisonment are put to some em ployment, and in certain cases this punishment may be con verted into hard labour, eight months of the latter punish ment being counted as equivalent to one year's imprison ment. Fines cannot exceed one-third of the fortune of the person condemned ; if that proportion is exceeded, the sur plus is converted into an imprisonment, at the rate of one day in prison for every 10fr., to the amount of 1,500 fr., and beyond that sum, of one day's imprisonment for every 15fr. The bastinado is only applied to servants, apprentices, workmen, and thieves or vagrants, and never to persons who have attained their fiftieth year. In the latter case im prisonment is substituted for the bastinado, according to a fixed scale, the minimum of the bastinado, or ten strokes, being converted into three or 15 days' imprisonment, and the maximum into from three to six months' imprisonment. Civil degradation is pronounced for periods of from ono to five years. The prohibition to exercise a trade is applied to such persons as have been guilty of a crime through the medium of that calling It may be perpetual or for a limited period. Expulsion from a certain locality with forced residence in a certain place is limited to a maximum of two years. Foreigners alone can be banished from the country. The regime of the prisons is mild, and the labour imposed on the convicts far from excessive. The food, which consists of two pounds of bread and three ounces of meat, or a portion of beans daily, is wholesome, and the clothing good and .suflicient. On New Year's Day and on the Princes' fete day, a certain number of pardons are accorded to convicts who have served one-half of their time, and whose conduct has been without reproach. The two principal prisons in Servia are those of Topehid‘.(6, near Belgrade, for prisoners under sentence of hard labour, and of Tehupria for persems condemned to simple imprison ment. Each o them h aco4.4etnothoiva for about 500 pri-oners, ME SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, JANUARY 8, 1864, THE WEATHEIt On Wednesday night the temperature indicated by the thermometer in Hyde Park tae 15.30 deg. —that is to say, 4 deg. below that of the previous night. Yesterday morning, at 9 o'clock, however, the mercury had risen to 19 30 deg., a temperature 31 deg. higher than that of the preceding day. The wind was from the N.N.E., and i❑ the morning the atmosphere was dry, but foggy. Towards evening the temperature rose several degrees. The sheets of water in the Parks presented yes terday a scene more animated than on any preced ing day. The crowd and the assemblage of car riages in Hyde Park and Rotten Row are said to have been larger than any seen there since the opening of the Great Exhibition in 1851. At one time, it was computed by Mr. Young, the secretary, and Mr. Williams, the superintendent of the Royal Humane Society, there were not fewer than 7,000 persons upon the Serpentine. A great many per sons were received into the house of the Royal Hu mane Society with heads cut. Their wounds were dressed by Mr. Young and Dr. Christian: Two serious accidents happened—in particular one to Mr. Hudson, of Newcastle-court, Strand, and another to Mr. John Edwards, of Barnet. These were also attended to at the Royal Humane Society's receiv ing•honse. When night fell, skating and sliding by torchlight commenced. In St. James's Park, had it not been for the exertions rendered by Deputy Superintendent Perry and the men under him, it is quite probable that several lives would have been lost, for at one period no less than 3,500 persons were skating or sliding upon the ice, which towards the after part of the evening began to part. Seve ral persons fell- in. Five persons had wounds dressed by Dr. M'Cann, of Parliament-street, and Mr. Laughnan, who assisted him. In the Victoria Park yesterday about ten or eleven thousand per sons were either sliding or skating upon the ice. No accident beyond a few cut heads occured during the day. At Chatham on Wednesday night the thermo meter fell to 10 deg. The whole of the canals and ponds in the neighbourhood were covered with ice several inches in thickness, allowing vast numbers to skate and elide. The canal leading from Roches ter to Gravesend was yesterday visited by some thousands of persons. The water in the docks at Chatham dockyard was yesterday frozen over, but in consequence of the rise and fall of the tide the ice was not of sufficient thickness to allow of per sons venturing upon it. There was yesterday a quantity of ice in the harbour which had been floated down the stream, showing that the upper portions of the river were frozen. On both the South-Eastern and the London, Chatham, and Dover railways every precaution is taken to pre vent accidents during the frost, by a constant exa mination of the tires of the carriages and engines, which in consequence of the intense cold are more than ever liable to become fractured. The weather since Friday has been bitterly cold in the Eastern Counties. The rivers and water courses were yesterday covered in some places with ice of more or less thickness. In one country dis trict the thermometer has descended as low as 22 deg. below the freezing point, but the variations of the instrument at the Norfolk and Norwich Literary Institution have been as follows since the com mencement of the new year:—Jan. I—Highest, 33 cieg. ; lowest, 30 deg. Jan. 2—Highest, 34 deg. ; lowest, 29 deg. Jan.4—Highest, 30 deg. ; lowest, 25 deg. Jan. s—Highest, 31 deg. ; lowest, 25 deg. Jan. 6—Highest, 27 deg. ; lowest, 19 deg, Jan. 7—Lowest, 18 deg. Oa Wednesday the frost continued with unabated severity in the neighbourhood of Nottingham. Yesterday a dense fog prevailed. The canals were all frozen over, and transit was entirely stopped. Upon the river Trent masses of ice had formed, and in some places it was said the river was frozen over —a circumstance of rare occurrence. In the Midland Counties the frost of Wednesday night was remarkably severe. In the country round Worcester the thermometer fell as low as 10 deg., and was 12 deg. at daybreak yesterday. The day was cloudy, and it rose very little all day. The ground, being unprotected by snow, is frozen to a considerable depth, and the earth is white with hoar frost, which the sun when it shines has not the power to melt. The wind went round from E. to S. on Wednesday eeeuing, but yesterday the weather cock pointed N.E. There is every present indica tion of protracted cold weather, The severe frost still continues in Yorkshire. The lowest temperature marked at 'Malkin on Tuesday night was 24 deg. The keenest frost of the season occurred on Wednesday night, when the mercury receded to 12 deg. The highest temperature in the shade on Thursday was 25 deg. The effects of the severe weather upon the wheat crops are beginning to cause anxiety to farmers, who all wish for a covering of snow. The lakes at Castle Howard and \Vellum are daily crowded with skaters. Oa the latter, on Wednesday afternoon, some alarm was caused by a young man having a severe fit on the .ce. There is every prospect of a continuance of the frost. Diet, but for the benefit of the Prince whom they have temporarily ousted. In Holstein, however, it is notorious that the Duchy is administered under the protection of G-rman troops, not for the Sove reign who has been ousted—namely, Christian of Danmark—but for a pretender, who, by the assist ance of the Federal troops, has been able to secure a revolution in his own favour. Denmark may, therefore, naturally reproach England with having SI persuaded her to relinquish a portion of her domi nions without having thereby secured the slightest possible advantage. Had Denmark contemplated —or, more correctly speaking, had she felt assured —that matters would have taken their present course, she would not have evacuated Holstein, nor with a knowledge of what has since taken place would England have counselled such a step, It is now clear that Germany will not be content with Holstein; and if a war is inevitable, Denmark would have been all the stronger with that Duchy in her possession. However, it is now idle to in dulge in regrets. We simply refer to the past in order to show that, if either Denmark or Germany have reason to feel aggrieved by the policy hitherto pursued by England, it is certainly not the latter Power. We cannot therefore forbear expressing out astonishment at the violent attacic made upon the English Government by the Breslauer Zeigung, journal published in the capital of Silesia. 'rho article in question is headed the" English Threa ts," and the public will be surprised to hear that it is thus the mild remonstrances adapted by Earl Rus sell to the Diet at Frankfort have been characterised by our Prussian contemporary. In a recent despatch the Foreign Secretary, as our readers are aware, directed the attention of the German representatives to the existence of the London Treaty, and warned them that " over hasty steps" on their part might lead to serious complications. Tnis piece of advice, which most persons will concur in thinking wes very moderately expressed, the Breslauer Zeitung alleges has been followed by an intimation from Earl Russell that, in the event of German troops crossing the Eider, England would " not be able to avoid affording the assistance requested by Den' mark." We are not in a position to contradict out contemporary upon this point ; but if such a notifie cation has been made to the Diet by the Foreign Secretary, it meets with our hearty approval. BO wherefore should Germany be indignant because England refuses to stand quietly by and permit the disintegration of Denmark ? Earl Russell is n ot, we are told, in the same position as Herr von Big' mark. No, he is not ; but we cannot help observe ing that our contemporary has continually spoken, of him as if he were. We can readily tinderstann that the only idea that a Prussian journalist call form of a Government is that of a body of men acting in uncompromising antagonism to the mass of the nation. It is under the influence of this notion that it is assumed that Earl Russell and his col' leagues do not command the confidence of the coup' try, and that, in the event of their aiding Denmark to repel a German invasion, their policy would be disavowed by Parliament. We can only assure our contemporary that the English:Cabinet is composed of Ministers holding seats in either House of Par liament, and that their tenure of office depends not on the will of the Sovereign, but on the approbation of the majority of their fellow-senators. It is there' fore, in the highest degree improbable that thei would counsel the Crown to pursue a policy which would not be approved of by the country. If, then , her Majesty's Ministers felt themselves called on to aid Denmark in resisting the invasion of Schleswig they would do so from a conscientious belief tha t they were giving effect to the wishes of the English nation. The Accident to the Steamer Anglia. On Wodnesday the official investigation into the circum• stances attending the stranding of the Atlantic Royal Mail Steam Navigation Company's steamer Anglia, Capt. Prowse, was opened by order of the Board of Trade, a the Gieenwicli Police-court, before Mr. Traill, magi& trate, and Captain Harris, nautical assessor. As was the case on the previous day, Capt. Baker, the other nautical assessor, was not present in the court, and after waiting nearly an hour, it was agreed that the proceedings should commence in his absence. Mr. Sharkey appeared for Capt. Prowse; Mr. Valiance represented the Atlantic Maii Company; and Mr. O'Dowd was present for the Board ot Trade. Mr. O'Dowd said that the Board of Trade had thought fit to order an investigation into the stranding of the Anglia, on the morning of Nov. 10, on the Black Rock, close to the town of Galway. lie was happy to say that there had been no loss of life or property, and that the material damage sustained by the vessel was just sufficient to bring it within the jurisdiction of that court. The Anglia was a paddlewheel steamer, built at Hull in 1561.. Her registered gross ton- nage was 2,919 ; but, deducting 1,290 tons for the propel ling power, her registered tonnage was 1,6.58. She had two engines of I,OOJ horse-power, and the ship was under the command of Mr. N. Prowse, who held a certificate of com• peteney from the Board of Trade, and was a gentleman of very high professional standing and character. Her crew consisted in all of about 130 hands. The Anglia, laden with a general cargo, and having 140 passengers, left Liverpool for Boston about 7 o'clock in the evening of the 7th of November, and arrived in Galway Bay at 6 o'clock in the afternoon of the 9th. At that time she was off Black Head, on the coast of Clare, taking the south and usual channel. She proceeded steadily towards the roadstead, and when about half-way the weather suddenly became thick with rain, and squally. Her head was then put to the west ward, and, the weather continuing squally, the steamer re- . . turned and anchored under the Black Head, about 50 mi nutes past 7 o'clock. At 2 o'clock on the mornidg of the 10th the ship weighed anchor and again proceeded towards the roadstead very closely. Capt. Prowse, being aware of the difficulties of the navigation, directed rockets to be sent up, blue lights to be burned, and guns to be fired for a pilot. No pilot, however, offered. And with reference to this part of the case, the learned gentleman adverted to the pilotage clauses in the Galway Harbour Act, from which it would appear that the ship was then in pilotage waters. He then returned to the course of the Anglia. About 5:a.m.10n the morning of the 10th, while she was going dead slow, and every precaution being apparently taken to secure her safe navigation in the roadstead, the steamer grounded on a ledge close to the Black Rock. The tide was then on the ebb. The ship came off on the next flood, and was taken back to Liverpdol, where it was ascertained that she had sustained sufficient damage to bring her within the opera tion of the act. From his (Mr. O'Dowd's) knowledge of the constitution of the Court, he felt satisfied that every justice would be done Capt. Prowse. In conducting those inquiries, he felt that it was not his duty to express any opinion upon the facts. No one would be more pleased than himself if the Court absolved Capt. Prowse from all blame in the matter, but, on the other hand, if it should appear that he had been guilty of any default, he was certain the Court would not refrain from expressing their opinion. Several witnesses were then called and examined. The first was John Thomas, first officer of the Anglia, who deposed the general condition of the vessel previous to the accident. On the evening of Nov. 9 they were off the south end of the Arran Islands, at the entrance to Galway Bay, and fired guns, burnt blue lights, and employed the signals gene rally used to indicate the want of a pilot. The Anglia was due in Galway at 4 o'clock that afternoon. As no pilot came on board, and the night was threatening, they anchored under Black Head until 2 o'clock the next morning, when they weighed and steamed slowly towards the roadstead. The speed of the vessel was not more three miles an hour. Men were kept continually heaving the lead on each side of the ship, extra look outs were stationed on the paddle boxes and in the bows, the signalling for pilot was repeated at short intervals, and Capt. Prowse was on the bridge most of the time. No pilot, however, came, and at 4.37, ship's time, the vessel grounded gently on a ledge of the Black Rock. The engines were at once reversed, but, it being ebb tide, the vessel could not be got off. The third officer was despatched to Galway, and returned with a pilot at 5.10. The binding of the passengers was then proceeded with, and completed after 10 o'clock. Preparations were next made for floating the ship off at the flood tide ; and this was effected at 3.45 in the afternoon, with the assistance of the company's tug. She anchored in the roadstead, and was found to be leaking a little. The cargo had not been re moved while she was aground. On Nov. 15, the Anglia cast off from the buoy, and proceeded to Liverpool,where she arrived on the afternoon of the 17th inst. Witness consi dered that the beacon on the Black Rock was useless at night. In his opinion the captain had adopted every means to secure the attendance of a pilot,and to avoid the accident. John Stubbs, third officer, was next examined; and he, as well as the other witnesses, confirmed in all important particulars the evidence of Thomas. At the time of the ac cident the night was clear,with bright starlight, the Mutton Island light being right a-head, but the Black Rock beacon not being visible. The ship's head was E. N. Edward Sharpe, boatswain, said that four minutes before the vessel grounded, the lead men found about 7 fathonis of water on each side of the ship. John Corkill, quartermaster, stated that at the time the vessel struck, her head was E, N. Andrew Russell, chief engineer, and Edward Pritchard, a pilot, of Liverpool, were also examined, but nothing ad ditional, or in opposition, to the prevous evidence was elicited from them. Mr. O'Dowd said these were all the witnesses he pro posed calling. Mr Slankey inquired if there would be any objection to COUNTRY_ MARKETS. MANC HE STE R—THURSDAY. At our market this morning there was about an aversr attendance, and, owing to a dense fog, business was mucl i interrupted. English wheat in fair request at is per 4d interrupted. and foreign Td to 3 d per cental higher , Flou r dull, but b 4, per sack more money. Oats as before ; oatmeal 6d per dearer. Egyptian beans and Indian corn each command' Is per qr over last week's rates: BURTON-ON-TRENT—THURSDAY. Wehad an average supply of English wheat to-day, whic h sold well, at is to 2s more money. Barley in good sho l f,: and holders firm in demanding is over late rates. Oats IP improved demand, and prices fully as high. Beans '0 steady. Old white wheat ..44s to 48s Old red wheat, 4ls to 41 ,: New do. ..45s to 47s New do . 39s to 4' Malting barley...34s to 39s Oats Grinding d0.....2 9 s to 31 s I Beans 33s s s 0 0 5 3 , ,21: BRISTOL—THURSDAY. The tone of our market to-day was healthy, and there 0 4 , ' a good supply of English wheat, which found ready buYo f; at is over the prices of this day sennight. Foreign 11', for rather more money. Malting barley in moderate quest, and Is advance; grinding 6d up. Oats Gd dca%4 Beans more in favour. Peas dull. BIRMINGHAM—THURSDAY. English wheat was sold at 41s to 45s for white, and 10 to 43s per 36 stone for red, Barley, new malting, 30s o t s A i l 40s per qr ; grinding, 26s to 30a Oats, old, 24s to per 30 stone ; Irish, 188 to 21s. Beans, 40e to 44s per q Peas, 36s to 44s per 36 stone. EDINBURGH GRAIN—JAN. G. To-day the samples were moeurate, with a dull sale. Wheat on the top Os Gd up. average Os 3d lie' Barley on the top Os 6d up... average Os 5d ' 'IP' 0 , Oats on the top 6clup I3eans on the top 00 6d down ..average 2s 4d uP. -- _ Total Supply and Sales. Wheat........ 806 qrs Sold 584"qrs 8ar1ey........1593 Vs Sold 1182 qrs Oats Beans l2l:qrs., . Sold 76 qv + 0 3 Flour sells as follows :—Whites, Os Od ; extras, 3 9 superfine, 36s Od ; fine, 34s Od. Foreign Mail Packet List. MAILS DUE. i s, Australia and Mauritius, via Southampton .. Jai l * 0. via Marseilles Jan. 3 , Brazil and Cape Verds, by British pact et. Fob. 4, Cape of Good Hope, Ascension, and St. Helena Jan' 13. China, Penang, and Singapore, via Southaropton.Jan. 4 via Marseilles Jan' fr Falkland Islands Gibraltar, via Southampton Jan. .., India (Calcutta), and Ceylon, via Southampton Jan. ~1 0 ° : via Marseilles Jan. Jan. '' ',,, India (Bombay), via Southampton .. / via Marseilles Jan. 1 1' J Portugal.... Jan 1 0, Malta, Egypt, and Aden, via Southampton Jan. 1 1, via Marseilles Jan. N ewfoundland .. Oporto and Vigo U.S. and British N. America, by Brit. packet.... Jan. by U.S. packet.... s ; by Canadian packet..Jao 0, W.C. of Africa, Madeira, and Tenerilfe .. Tall , 0 Bahamas, via New York Jolt. ,79 M exi co .. All parts of West Indies, including Chili, Peru, I Jan'' California. and British Columbia.. rADVERTISEMENT.]—Consumption, all nervous, - bile liver, and stemach complaints, is every stage, are 0 011 g ot gravatei and accelerated by drugs of every descriptio o, oo perfectly curable by Du Barry's health restoring 110 41 0 0 Arabica Food, as proved by thousands of cases whiell, 9 0' been considered hopeless. We quote a few.—Cure No. 6''o bliss Lange, 18 years of age, cured after the medical 11 10 ;C/ abandoned all hopes of her recovery from the last stltg', o o, pulmonary consumption, with fearful cough, expeotors ti el o, exhaustion, spitting of blood, perspirations, hollow cbcol emaciated to a skeleton. She is now, thank God , a pert' 41 healthy, blooming, fleshy girl.—N. Lange, CommissaTld Police. Cure, No. 46,270. Mr. James Roberts, of ri'ifet Surrey, of thirty years' diseased lungs. spittingof blo0 4 ' ) /10 derangement. and partial deafness.—Cure, No. 47,121. op* Elizabeth Jacobs, of extreme nervousness, indige9 $a gatherings, low spirits, and nervousfancies.—Cur e ' r ol: 54,816. The Rev. James T. Campbell, Fakenham, N° fated of indigestion and torpidity of the liver, which had r es 11 1,, all medical reatment. In tins, 11b, 2s 9d ; 21b, 4s 6c l; :I', lls ; 121 b, 225; 2 41 b, 40 s. Barry du Barry and Co., l'"(i Regent-street, London ; also Fortnum and Mason; ° do e grocers and chemists in every town of the -United Births. COPLAND.—On the 6th inst., at 9, Colville-road, 1:- e i n c 5 ,2;' " ton-park, the wife of J. C. Copland, Esq., of a u" ter. th ao'' FORBES.—On the 2d inst., at Inverernan, Strt- of. Aberdeenshire, the wife of Lieut.-Col. Forbes, C.P'' daughter. 4CI SALMON.—On the 6th inst., at 12, Westbourne-c l the wife of George Salmon, Esq., of a son. Marriages. S fr , GIRES--..ELTON.—On the sth inst., at All Saints', $t Clevedon, Somerset, George Louis Monck Gibbst f orl A w of Belmont, Somerset, eldest son of the Rev- 'f,4, Gibbs, incumbent of Clifton Hampden, Oxon, t° 40 01 " Beatrice, elder daughter of Sir Arthur Hallauz Bart., of Clevedon Court. O " D 3 Oiut—Giaa.—On the 6th inst., at Glasgow, Spenc°, l ,„ Orr, Eeq., 10th Regt. Staff, Hythe, to Alice second daughter of the late Elias Gibb, Esq., e' gow. Deaths. e ;tryt, ,' ComuE.—On the 7th inst., at 43, Upper Soymonl:ip ) Portman-square, Boyce ombe, Esq , Police g5O- 4 of Southwark, aged 74. f CHArrELL.—On the 7th inst., Mr. John Chappel l ' Long-acre, aged 59. 011 GAGE.—On the 4th inst., at 'Thurston, Admiral si t r Hell Gage, G.C.8., G.C.11., Admiral of the F lee , 87. rP f IlEuniNG.—On the 7th inst., at Putney, \Val. Esq., aged 54. 1 4 1 . SNow.—On the 7th inst., at 26, Tredegar-squar e, Snow, Esq., J.P., aged 73. ,„ber., i s R 5 , WYNYA D.—On the eth inst., Major-General c iror Wynyard, C. 8., Colonel 98th Fo4t, of 6, 1 30 3 4 ' . Bath, ea r 6" Mik.u.Low.—On the 4th inst., at Anglesey Lodge, , 69. port, Major-General W. B. Marlow, age lt' London : Primed and Pubiished by WILL lA3I AND •,;c, jl', of No. 112, Strand, Printer, at THE SUN oirict': o o l Straw!, in the Precinct of the .Savoy, in the 4-' Mildluex —Friday, January 8, 18,51. SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS. The weather in Keswick is intensely cold, and the whole of the Der, wentwater, from the Landings to the entrance of Grange, is one mass of thick ice, probably presenting the finest skating ground in England, being three miles long, one mile and a half at its greatest breadth, and about nine miles in circumference. The rivers Greta and Derwent are partially frozen over. Since Monday the pools and ponds in the negh bourhood of Liverpool have been covered with a thick coating of ice, and sliding and skating have been favourite amusements all through the week. On Wednesday the ornamental water in Prince's and Wavertree parks, and the flooded portions of Sefton meadows, were crowded with skaters, and yesterday, the frost having gained rather than lost in intensity, the different fields of ice presented a still more animated and gay spectacle. The erne , - mental lakes in Birkenhead Park have been thronged by skaters, not a few of whom were ladies, On Tuesday a match at curling took place at the Bir kenhead Park, between 111 r. T. H. Galloway and Mr. Dempster, who between them mustered 18 channel stones. After a well-contested game of 21 shots, victory rested with Mr. Dempster, the game having been witnessed by a numerous concourse of spectators. The cold is still growing in intensity, and yesterday morning a thermometer placed in a garden at Oxton indicated a temperature of 15 deg.; near the ground, on the Liverpool side of the Mersey, the indication was 14.5 deg. The Scotsman of yesterday says—" During the whole of yesterday the frost continued, bat it waP hardly so severe as on the previous day. A thick mist prevailed throughout the day, and it was feared that this would be followed by snow, but tha prog nostications in this respect proved fallaciou— The lochs were, from morning till evening, crowded with curlers and skaters, all of whom seemed to enjoy their sport to the greatest extent. Prince Alfred visited Duddingston Loch shortly after 11 o'clock, and had two hours' skating, a pastime in which his Royal Highness proved himself very pro ficient. The ice was of course in a worse condition than on Tuesday, the surface being covered with the powdered ice which had been scraped off by the skating, as also by large quantities of orange peel and reeds, which rendered skating to a certain extent both unpleasant and dangerous. Seeing that so many of the inhabitants turn out to have a day's recreation on the lochs, it would be a vast improvement were the Town Council to send out a staff of scavengers or policemen at daybreak to sweep up at least Dud dingston Loch, so that the ice might be made keener and the skaters might have a better opportunity of observing the ruts and breaks which are so fre quently a cause of those unpleasant falls to which skaters are peculiarly liable. A correspondent, referring to the rare opportunity which the present frosty weather presents to skaters for enjoying their exhilarating pastime, and the comparatively slight trouble which it would cost to keep ti e ice clean and in good condition, suggests that the Edinburgh Skating Club or the police authorities should cut holes of three inches in diameter in the ice, and pump up the water till it overspread the loch a few inches. By adopting this simple expedient, which i 3 almost universally practised in Canada, the loch would be covered each morning with fresh keen ice that would add immeasurably to tf'e comfort and enjoymortt of the kat•Ero," Trete:S.—Among the results of the past year's events one of the most worthy of notice is the re sumption by Russia of her old attitude with regard to the Western Powers, and the recovery of some thing of her old importance, The Polish insurrec tion, though it has tried the resources of the Em pire, has roused, it is said, a spirit deeper and more patriotic than was produced even by the Crimean War, and has given to Russia the opportunity of standing with erect form, bold glance, and biting words in front of France and England, to the in tense pride of her own people, and perhaps the ads miration of a large class in Europe. It may be that the Russians are exulting prematurely, and that the destruction of a nation is not to be accomplished even by well-appointed armies opposed to ill-armed and half-starving bands. But at present the trumpet of victory is being loudly sounded at St. Petersburg. The Russians believe that they are at the close of the last of the revolutions. They are inclined to repeat boastingly the despairing exclamation of the patriot, " Finis Polona !" This achievement the circumstances give, in their opinion, a greater lus tre. They have shown their ability to withstand not only the so-called European revolution, but also the alliance of the most powerful and well-organised States. They have forced the acknowledgment from the English that they do not fight to support their remonstrances, or do more when the Vienna Treaties are violated than peaceably advise the observing of them. They have made it clear that France with out a European coalition cannot touch them in Poland, and they think they have once more asserted their old supremacy over the counsels of Austria. These feelings are manifest in the general tone of the St. Petersburg press, and they speak plainly in the utterances of Prince Gortechakoff who has been the chief actor in the diplomatic contests of the year. There is a club in St. Petersburg called " The Eng lish Club." It is not, as its name would imply, a place of meeting for Englishmen, but an assembly of Russian aristocrats, and among the latest mem bers admitted was Prince Gortschakoff. A ban quet was given on the occasion of his election, and of course took the form of a political de monstration. Prince Gortschakoff says in his speech that his acts have only been the faith ful and conscientious _execution of the orders of the Emperor. He had only the enviable honour of being the organ of him to whom the dignity and glory of Russia are more dear then any other. " All Russia, enraptured, raised its voice in support of our recent replies, of which the object was to confound and repel pretentious attempts on our national dignity." This is, we believe, a true representation of the feelings roused by the late diplomatic victory, and the general success which has attended the operations in Poland. For the first time since the Crimean War, it has been given to the Russians to employ their political and military talents in a contest with foreign nations. The Czar has bean during that time engaged in internal re forms which, while they have gained for himself a distinguished name in the annals of Royalty, and have laid the foundations of enduring prosperity and power for the Empire, do not satisfy those who look for the more brilliant victories of the pen and sword to which Russia was accustomed. Count Orloff Davidoff gave expression to the general feeling when he reminded the gu ests that when Prince Gortechakoff was placed at the head of affairs Russia had just terminated " a severe war, glorious but unfortunate, and the general belief was spread throughout Europe that our co untr y was enfeebled, that she had lost her prestige for a long period, and that it only remained tor her to look with power less vexation on the political scene." How, through the labours of Prince Gortschakoff, that belief has been dissipated in Europe is the subject of the speaker's congratulations, and has brought the Prince the vast popularity which he at present enjoys in Russia. How much the Russians have been humiliated by the events of the war of 1854 may be judged from the enthusiasm they show for the retrieval of their position now. The ten years, they assert, have not been wasted, and their coun try,: though it undoubtedly presses less on the thoughts of Europe than in the time of the Em peror Nicholas, is, in the opinion of the Russians,. not less powerful than of old. The first taste of victory, though it be only that of words, over foreign nations is to them inexpressibly delightful, and will, no doubt, incline them to follow with eager ness wherever their Sovereign may seek to lead them. It is impossible not to have some respect and admiration for a people that shows such a spirit as the Russians. They are especially dangerous to Europe:through. the union of stubborn less and do. cility in their character—through the rower of resisting doggedly any antagonist, while they are like children in the hands of the Monarch they reverence. Nor can we suppose that there is much of bravado in the tone which is now general throughout Russian society. Never was there a time when it was more likely that they would make a firm stand against an invader. Prince Gortscha koff says in his speech,—" Russia has lavished en couragements so flattering on the writer of these replies that the reflection is induced, If this feeble manifestation of the will of the Cz it has produced such an impression, what will Russia not do if God sends new trials, and the Emperor makes a solemn appeal to the nation ?" The meaning of this clearly is that the Russian Government would not be ter rified by any threats of war from maintaining its rights in Poland by the sword, and that it would see without shrinking another advance of the French legions on the Empire, even though they were again supported by the armies of Germany. In this, we think, Prince Gortschakoff does not speak more than the deliberate purpose of his Government—a pur pose in which it will be fanatically snpported by all orders of the people. If there is one feeling that possesses the Russians more than another, it seems to be the desire to wipe out what they consider to he the unmerited disgrace of the Turkish war. That war brought on them a calamity far worse than the surrender of Ismail and the disarmament of Sebas topol. It took away from the reputation of the Russian considerably. From the gigantic battles of the First Napoleon's time, and from the successes of the Russians against all their neighbours, the army came to be looked upon by many as, man for man, equal to the best in Europe. The Russian was not credited with the brilliancy and dash of the Frenchman, nor with all the strength and endurance of the Englishman, but it was con sidered that he possessed a solidity little less than that which is attributable to ourselves, and that able officers and first-rate discipline made the Rus sian regiments almost as formidable in an attack as our neighbours. The late war dissipated much of this reputation, and humiliated the Russians „by sho wing them unsuccessful even against the Turks in long and important operations. Then the siege of Sebastopol, though the military qualities of the Russian soldier were there more favourably dis played than on other fields of the war, was in its result unfortunate, and tended to lower the respect in which the Empire was held, not only by European States, but by the semi-barbarous tribes on the fron tier. It is not for the advantage of Russia that any race,small or great, with which she has to deal should be able to taunt her with the successes of her enemies, and even as a matter of policy she could net eashy yield to demands involving not only a recognition of the right of France and England to interfere with her, but also the success of an insur rection among hereditary rebels. For these reasons we think that the replies which Prince Gortschakoff made during the past year were but the indications of a settled policy, and that the Czar's Government will do nothing which can be construed by Europe or his own people into a concession to the Western Powers. In the meantime the operations for the suppression of the Polish revolt are carried on with as much rigour as ever. The Government thinks that amid the severe winter of that land it is im possible for the insurgents to make their home in the forests, and that accordingly the revolt must languish during the next two or three months, and probably die out entirely. What will really happen we can hardly say; but it may be observed that theee prophecies of the ending of wars either through the heat or cold of the place of operations have almost always been falsified. Our correspondent says that the Polish bands have not yet suffered very much from the cold, and that it is scarcely to be doubted that they can maintain themselves in small bands till the return of spring. It is pro bable that three months hence the rebellion may still be active, and then it will be for the Poles, the Czar, and the three military monarchies of the Continent to decide the oldest and the most difficult of European questions. PosT.—A mediator seldom secures the gratitude of any of the disputants whose differences he at tempts to arrange, and Great Britain must, there fore, not be surprised at finding that she has excited the indignation of Germany, as well as the dissa tisfaction of Denmark, by the course she has pur sued in reference to the Schleswig-Holstein dis pute. 'That the Government of the King of Denmark should a t the present moment be loud in their com plaints in consequence of the pressure put upon them by the English Cabinet would at least b > intelli giole. It was mainly in compliance with English counsels that the King of Denmark evacuated Holstein without striking a blow, It was mainly because England relied on the good faith of the leading German . Powers, and because she trusted to their promises not to exceed the limits of Federal ... jurisdiction, that Denmark, notwithstanding her misgivings, acted on the advice which her too cre dulous ally gave her. The event proved how well founded were the apprehensions of the Danish Government. Federal e xecution, in the true meaning of the term, has now taken place. Under Federal execution, properly so called, Commis stollen adminlater dominion iTe the ram.° of the 1